Club Bulletin

Grand Opening of Largest Indoor Tennis Facility in the United States

April 30, 2025 (New York, NY) — SPORTIME Randall’s Island proudly celebrates the completion of its $55 million expansion, a transformative project two years in the making. Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the latest milestone in the facility’s evolution, and firmly establishes its position as a world-class – and the largest – indoor tennis club and training facility in the United States.

One hundred percent funded by SPORTIME Clubs, this major investment follows the original $20+ million SPORTIME led project that brought SPORTIME Randall’s Island to life in 2009. With SPORTIME’s total capital investment reaching more than $75 million, the facility now stands as a testament to SPORTIME’s enduring commitment to New York City, reflecting its focus on excellence in sport, accessibility, and community impact.

“I am a lifelong New Yorker, I learned to play tennis in New York City public parks, including at Randall’s Island,” said Claude Okin, SPORTIME’s President & CEO. “So, there is no achievement more personal to me, or of which I am prouder, than SPORTIME’s flagship facility on Randall’s Island. Our goal, since 2004, has been to create a year-round tennis club and training center like no other in the world, right here in our hometown: NYC. And we have done that.”  

Best-in-Class Tennis Mecca
SPORTIME Randall’s Island now spans more than 260,000 square feet of tennis courts and support space. The expansion has elevated and diversified the year-round campus, which offers a scale and caliber of resources not previously available in the tri-state area—or anywhere beyond.

Now home to 33 courts—up from 20 at its inception—SPORTIME Randall’s Island features 15 Laykold hard-surface courts housed in two permanent buildings and in one seasonal air-structure, in addition to 14 Har-Tru soft-surface courts in one permanent and one seasonal air-structure. The facility also includes a dedicated Community Welcome Center with four 36’ red ball courts. All year-round indoor courts are fully air-conditioned, while all 12 seasonal outdoor courts are equipped with stadium-quality lighting for nighttime play. The result: elite playing and training conditions on multiple surfaces for athletes of all ages and skill levels.

To support the training, recovery, well-being and social interaction of players and athletes, the expansion added a second state-of-the-art clubhouse with direct viewing of 12 of the facility’s courts, and an enhanced athletic performance training and recovery center that rivals those found at elite professional venues. Amenities including lounge areas and classrooms, a wellness-focused café, and a full-service pro shop offering an unrivaled, world-class environment for players at every level.

The expansion also enhanced the facility’s special event and tournament hosting capabilities, including private lounge spaces, TV quality lighting, and electronic line calling on its hard-surface courts. The outdoor stadium court can be configured to accommodate up to 4,000 spectators, making it an ideal venue for competitions and showcases.

A Global Destination, Rooted in Public & Private Partnership 

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is parkland and the property of the City of New York and is operated by SPORTIME subject to a 25-year license agreement. It is both a commercial tennis club, open to the public, and a public park, with half of its courts, including lighted courts for evening play, accessible to NYC Parks Tennis Permit holders at a cost of $100 for the entire outdoor season. SPORTIME is a foundational partner of the Randall’s Island Park Alliance (RIPA), the nonprofit organization that redeveloped and maintains the Park, which features Icahn Stadium and over 60 playing fields, and is one of NYC’s premiere sports destinations. SPORTIME’s more $2.5 million in annual license fees provide critical funding for the upkeep and improvement of the Island’s facilities. 
SPORTIME Randall's Island has redefined what a public/private partnership can be and achieve in sport. The facility welcomes 50,000 players and guests annually, hosts weekly tournaments and events ranging from USTA league play to international showcases, and employs a team of over 100 New Yorkers.  

"It is thrilling to see the completion of this significant project that only elevates the offerings Randall's Island Park and SPORTIME bring to both the local and greater NYC communities," said Randall's Island Park Alliance President Deborah Maher. "These state-of-the-art, expanded facilities represent the commitment SPORTIME and the Alliance are making to continually improve Randall's Island for park patrons and sports-enthusiasts of all ages."

“The expansion of SPORTIME Randall’s Island is an excellent example of how public/private partnerships can activate our parks and expand access to recreational opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “With over 400 diverse concessions citywide, NYC Parks is proud to partner with organizations like SPORTIME that not only generate vital revenue, but also enhance our parks through dynamic, year-round programming and meaningful capital improvements to our green spaces.”
Commitment to Community

Launched in the fall of 2010, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) at SPORTIME Randall’s Island offers world-class, year-round coaching for junior players aiming to compete at the highest levels. Reflecting McEnroe’s vision of an urban academy, JMTA provides students with access to top-tier training while allowing them to live at home and attend local schools, thus offering access and opportunity to aspiring NYC-based athletes. Since its inception, over 200 JMTA players have earned college scholarships and preferred admission through their tennis. 

“When we launched the John McEnroe Tennis Academy at SPORTIME Randall’s Island in 2010, the goal wasn’t just to develop great players, it was to create access, to give New York kids real opportunity, and to build something lasting in the city I grew up in,” said McEnroe. “The expansion of this facility is a big moment. It means more courts, more kids, and more chances to do it right. And for me, that’s what it has always been about.”

SPORTIME Randall’s Island is also home to the Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), a non-profit offering free community-based instructional programs that welcome as many as 1,600 children weekly to the facility. More than 2,000 children participate in JMTP programs offsite, at schools and CBOs, as well as virtual programming. Many of these kids are from NYC’s most underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods. JMTP’s programs are designed to introduce tennis at an early age, as a life-long health and wellness activity. For some, JMTP’s school-year programs lead to JMTP’s Excellence Program, which provides a pathway to JMTA scholarships. 

"For over a dozen years, our third graders at Central Park East II have received weekly tennis lessons thanks to the unwavering support of the Johnny Mac Tennis Project” said Naomi Smith, principal, Central Park East II. “We are deeply thankful and appreciate its commitment to our students.”

James Sayer, principal at Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem, is also appreciative. “JMTP has been an incredible opportunity for our students. The program has opened doors to high-level play, college scholarship opportunities, and unforgettable experiences—like meeting Billie Jean King! We’re so grateful for the access and excellence JMTP provides.”

A Vision Realized
SPORTIME Randall’s Island reflects a legacy of corporate and personal commitment, leadership and investment that has been sustained through two recessions and a global pandemic, and funded without the use of any taxpayer dollars. SPORTIME’s commitment to NYC and to its work at SPORTIME Randall’s Island is now 20 years in the making, with decades and generations more to come.

“We raised, borrowed and invested $75 million to build the largest and best publicly accessible indoor tennis facility in the world on NYC parkland, and owned by NYC, at which we welcome players and students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds,” said Okin. “We are very proud of what we have built, and even more excited about the opportunities that these world-class facilities will create for our players, coaches, and community members, and, most of all, for our kids.”

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Editor’s Note – Here is DropBox with photos to accompany the release – Click HERE

Media Contact:
Jennefer Witter
The Boreland Group Inc.
917.532.9907
Jwitter@theborelandgroup.com
 

Westbury location enhances Sportime’s Long Island’s pickleball offerings with state-of-the-art courts, exclusive partnerships, and expanded community access

Westbury, NY (March 3) – Sportime Pickleball continues to impact the pickleball scene on Long Island with the grand opening of Sportime Pickleball Westbury, to take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025. This premier facility is designed for both competitive and social play, and features 13 dedicated, climate-controlled courts, designed to accommodate play and instruction for all levels. To elevate the playing experience, Sportime Pickleball Westbury offers courtside lounges, changing rooms with showers, a pro shop, a grab-and-go café, and a party room with court viewing. Through exclusive Platinum Partnerships with Joola, Selkirk, and Diadem, players will have access to cutting-edge gear and exclusive events designed to enhance play and educate guests on the latest pickleball equipment and technology. Sportime Pickleball Westbury will contribute to the local economy by creating full- and part-time employment opportunities in management, coaching, client support, hospitality, and maintenance.

As part of its grand opening celebration, Sportime Pickleball Westbury will host Opening Day - Open Plays on Saturday, March 8th, offering multiple level-based open play sessions from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. Other launch events will include a St. Patrick’s Day Open Play / Diadem Demo Day on Saturday, March 16th from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. The event is sponsored by Diadem Pickleball, a leading provider of pickleball equipment and apparel. 

Although existing Sportime clubs already offer 70 dedicated and hybrid pickleball courts, with the opening of its first dedicated pickleball facility in Westbury, Sportime Pickleball officially launches its ambitious commitment to build more than 15 dedicated pickleball clubs in the tri-state area, offering more than 200 courts by spring 2031. Also opening on March 8th will be Sportime Pickelball’s second dedicated facility in Englewood, NJ, offering 12 courts and outstanding amenities for players and spectators. Near-term plans include three sites already under construction, all scheduled to open by fall of 2025, in Yorktown Heights and Armonk, NY, and in Wayne, NJ. Sportime Pickleball is committed to becoming the leading pickleball provider in the Northeast, as its parent company, Sportime Clubs, is for tennis. 

"As pickleball continues to be one of the fastest growing sports in history, we are proud to open our first Sportime Pickleball dedicated location on Long Island," said Claude Okin, President and CEO of Sportime. "Sportime Westbury is a prime location, offering easy access for players from across Nassau County and beyond, and will serve as our pickleball flagship on Long Island, offering state-of-the-art courts, premium amenities, and an unparalleled playing experience. We are committed to making this facility a vibrant, family-friendly community hub, where players of all levels can train, compete, and connect."

Sportime Pickleball is dedicated to growing the sport at all levels, with a special focus on youth engagement. The Sportime team is actively working with local schools, PTAs, and summer camps to introduce junior players to the game. 

“In addition to servicing the large number of adult players who are passionate about Pickleball on Long Island, we are also looking forward to introducing the next generation of players to the game through our Junior Pickleball Academy. Designed for children ages 6-16, young players will participate in instructional clinics, supervised open play sessions and structured competitions,” commented Joe Siegel, Sportime Pickleball’s Managing Director.

For more information on Sportime Pickleball Westbury - www.sportimepickleball.com/wb 

About Sportime Pickleball
Sportime Pickleball, a division of Sportime Clubs, the largest operator of tennis clubs in the greater New York area, will operate dedicated pickleball clubs in the Tri-State area and beyond, with the goal of becoming the leading pickleball club operator in the Northeast. Sportime Clubs will leverage Sportime’s existing infrastructure, management capacity, programming expertise, and a player database of more than 70,000 active members/players. Each Sportime Pickleball location will feature 10-20 indoor, state-of-the-art, pickleball courts that will be available for social and competitive open-play sessions, court-time rentals, tournaments, clinics, instruction, and more. Some locations will also feature restaurant and event spaces, which will be operated by food and beverage partners.

Dear Long Island Pickleball Players:

We are thrilled to announce that the day we've all been waiting for is finally here! SPORTIME Pickleball Westbury will open its doors on March 8th. Players will enjoy our 13 dedicated Pickleball courts, courtside player lounges, Smash Zone pro shop, great coaches and programs, and much more!.

Opening Day Events: We invite you to join us on Saturday, March 8th, for our Open House-Open Plays, offered by level, all day long, at the special rate of just $15 per session. Players can tour our facility, meet our staff, enjoy great music and refreshments, and, of course, play lots of pickleball! Click this link to view our schedule of Opening Day events and to register today: SPORTIME Westbury Events.

All Day Court-Time | March 9th:  We have held ALL courts on Sunday, March 9th, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm, for picklers to reserve courts to play with friends and partners. SPORTIME members can begin reserving courts up to 7 days in advance and SPORTIME Associate (registered non-members) can reserve up to 3 days in advance.

Weekly Programming: Our full menu of Pickleball programming will begin on Monday, March 10th, with online registration opening on March 5th. Click here for a sneak peek of our program menu to see all that we plan on offering.

Special Events: In addition to court-time and a wide variety of programs, we will be offering a host of exciting special events in the coming months, including competitive tournaments, team competitions, demo days, and more. All events will be sponsored by our Platinum Partners: Diadem, Joola and Selkirk; so be sure to check out our schedule and join the action and fun! 

If you have any questions, would like to schedule a private lesson or join a program, or want more info, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling or texting our Virtual Help Desk, whenever the club is open, at (516) 620-3511.

We can’t wait to welcome you to SPORTIME Pickleball Westbury! 

Throughout October, SPORTIME Pickleball proudly hosted “Pickle in Pink” events in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. We invited our community to join in support through a variety of events, including Open Plays, Tournaments, MLP Style events, and Up/Downs. With 50% of proceeds donated, we are thrilled to have contributed over $2,800 to this important cause. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make a difference!

New York, February 14, 2024  – For Immediate Release -- SPORTIME Pickleball Announces Second and Third Locations in New York and New Jersey as Part of Broad Expansion Plan.  Westbury Long Island, Wayne New Jersey Locations, joining already announced Armonk New York Location with goal of 200+ dedicated indoor courts by 2030 

SPORTIME Pickleball Westbury (575 Merrick Ave.) will open in the fall of 2024 and  SPORTIME Pickleball Wayne (Willowbrook Plaza) has a planned opening in the spring of 2025. These are SPORTIME’S second and third announced dedicated pickleball club locations, which will be the two largest and most comprehensive facilities in their markets, joining an 11 court facility under construction in Armonk, NY.

“We are excited to announce our newest SPORTIME Pickleball locations in Westbury and Wayne, with more great locations coming soon,” said Claude Okin, President & CEO of SPORTIME. “For the ever growing masses of pickleball lovers in the Tri-State area, and for those who will no doubt be joining those legions in the months and years to come, SPORTIME Pickleball locations will provide the highest quality indoor pickleball facilities and programs,  consistent with the SPORTIME brand. We are proud to have been a racket sports leader in our region since 1994”. 

The 50,000 square foot SPORTIME Pickleball location in Wayne, NJ will include 20 indoor courts and is located in the busiest shopping district in the State, with 16 million visitors each year. This will be the largest indoor pickleball facility in New Jersey and will feature a stadium court, food and beverages and event spaces. In addition to a high volume of daily play and instruction, it is expected  to be a major destination site for local and national pickleball tournaments, as well as for large-format group and corporate events. To join our email list for more information about SPORTIME Pickleball Wayne, please click here.

SPORTIME Pickleball Westbury will feature 13 dedicated indoor pickleball courts and will be the largest indoor pickleball facility in New York State. Its proximity to the Meadowbrook Parkway and The Roosevelt Field mall, along with thousands of other businesses and densely populated residential areas, make it an ideal pickleball hub for Nassau County. To join our email list for more information about SPORTIME Pickleball Westbury, please click here.

Daren Hornig, SPORTIME’s partner in their pickleball venture, is leading the company’s real estate expansion efforts. “These two locations, along with our first location in Armonk, the numerous additional locations we are currently negotiating, and those to follow, will enable SPORTIME Pickleball to be the leader in this space in the Tri State area. While aggressively lining up sites, we are also being very selective, in that all of our locations will be accessible and will allow us to build out high quality, regulation playing spaces, including high ceilings and full court dimensions,” said Hornig.  SPORTIME Pickleball’s 3 signed leases represent over 110,000 square feet and will boast 45 indoor courts. The company is actively negotiating agreements throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City, as well as in prime locations in New Jersey and Connecticut.  For more information, email info@SportimePickleball.com.   

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About SPORTIME Clubs 
Since 1994, SPORTIME has been proud to operate the finest tennis and sports facilities in New York State. SPORTIME’s 15 club locations most recently expanded to include the iconic Port Washington Tennis Academy, now SPORTIME Port Washington. SPORTIME currently offers 190 indoor and outdoor tennis courts and 71 pickleball courts, as well as rinks, turf, camps, gyms and more, at sites across Long Island, in NYC, in Westchester and in the NY Capital Region. SPORTIME clubs are state-of-the-art, yet affordable, and feature the best tennis, sports and fitness facilities and programs, including the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) and SPORTIME Volleyball Club (VBC). SPORTIME clubs serve individuals of every age and athletic ability, 365 days a year. Learn more: www.sportimeny.com.    

About SPORTIME Pickleball
SPORTIME Pickleball will operate dedicated pickleball sites throughout the Northeast and expects to become the dominant pickleball club operator in the area and beyond, leveraging SPORTIME’s existing infrastructure, management and programming expertise and its player database of more than 40,000 active members/players. SPORTIME recently opened the largest indoor pickleball facility in New York State at their Port Washington facility, consisting of 12 dedicated courts. Each SPORTIME Pickleball location will feature 10-20 state-of-the-art pickleball courts that will be available for social and competitive open play sessions, court-time rentals, tournaments, clinics, instruction, and private events. Some locations will feature restaurant and event spaces, which will be operated by food and beverage partners.   

About Hornig Capital Partners
Based in New York, Hornig Capital Partners LLC (HCP) is a privately held real estate investment and development firm specializing in value-added opportunities throughout the United States. Led by Daren Hornig, a real estate industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, HCP pursues purchases of fee simple interest assets, as well as select joint venture structures, with capital appreciation opportunities and risk-adjusted returns. HCP also invests in assets for long-term property appreciation and to effectively recapitalize existing properties with owners to maximize returns. In the past ten years, HCP has successfully closed on more than $1 billion worth of property and development projects. Most recently, HCP purchased the iconic Port Washington Tennis  Academy and successfully leased and partnered with SPORTIME Clubs to create the SPORTIME Port Washington, featuring over 200,000 square feet of tennis and pickleball courts and amenities; the largest racket sports center on Long Island.

SPORTIME Pickleball Announces Second and Third Locations in New York and New Jersey as Part of Broad Expansion Plan
Westbury Long Island, Wayne New Jersey Locations, joining already announced Armonk New York Location with goal of 200+ dedicated indoor courts by 2030. Read all about it >